The city of Santa Barbara will be joining law enforcement agencies throughout California in focusing on enforcing the state’s ban on texting and other handheld cell phone use while driving. The increased statewide effort is inspired by the second annual National Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April. Throughout the month, law enforcement agencies including the Santa Barbara Police Department will partner with the California Highway Patrol to discourage distracted driving by increasing the number of citations issued for violating the state’s cell phone restrictions.
Distracted driving is becoming a leading cause of auto collisions resulting in injury and death, along with speeding and alcohol. Motorists operating a vehicle while using a cell phone are at four times greater risk of being injured in an automobile collision, and sending text messages while driving can impair driver ability to an extent comparable to having a blood alcohol content level above the legal limit.
Safety experts recommend turning off your phone before you begin driving, refrain from calling or texting people you know to be driving, and always pull over to the side of the road if you absolutely have to respond to an emergency call or text message.
As a Long Beach car accident attorney, I have seen firsthand the damage that can result from inattentive driving. If you or someone you love has been involved in a collision with a distracted motorist, please consider contacting a Long Beach personal injury lawyer.